I am using the Fruitful Affliction Bible study written by Laura Williams during my morning quiet time. It’s an in depth study of the life of Joseph.
This morning I read of Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery and his father’s grief upon learning that his son has been killed.
It was at this point in the study that we turned to look at grief in Psalm 13.
In verses 1-4 of this psalm, the psalmist is full of sadness, sorrow and self-pity. He is questioning God, asking “Will you forget me forever?” and “How long will you hide your face from me?” He is at the end of himself.
But then something happens…something amazing and glorious and beautiful to behold!
This is what happens when we come to the end of ourselves and turn our eyes back on our God.
In verses 5 and 6, the psalmist turns from sorrow and self-pity to praising the Lord.
He remembers that he trusts the steadfast love of the Lord.
He trusts that nothing can separate him from the Father’s everlasting love. It is the depth of that reality that causes him to praise.
When we remember the steadfast love of our Lord, the steadfast love that we have trusted in, there is nothing else to do but to praise Him!
We sing to the Lord because we remember that He has dealt bountifully with us.
I’m going through a bit of a season of struggle right now. We are mere weeks away from moving on to our next assignment. We’re in the process of preparing for this move and for saying goodbye to our home and our friends that we have loved so strongly here in El Paso.
There are moments when my heart is full of sorrow at the thought of leaving this place. Yesterday as I went about my day, homeschooling my children, cleaning the house, and cooking dinner, I got such a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach anytime the thought of moving came into my mind. There were tears right underneath the surface of my being all day long. There still there threatening to escape at any moment.
It would be so easy to wallow in my sorrow and sadness. It would be easy to be filled with self-pity because of all that I have to give up.
The temptation is there…
But then I come to the end of myself and I turn my eyes towards God and I remember.
I remember that I have put my trust in Him…in His steadfast love.
He has never failed me.
And I know that He never will.
My heart rejoices in His salvation. That’s all that really matters in this life. Yes, I’m saying goodbye to friends, but I know I’ll see them again. I have that promise because of the salvation that is available in Him!
I will sing to the Lord in this time of transition because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Instead of bemoaning this life and the demands and stresses that come with moving and leaving the friends and community I love here in El Paso, I can remember and be thankful for the many ways He has blessed me here.
The blessings are bountiful!
What are you struggling with today?
I pray that when you come to the end of yourself in your struggles, you will remember that you have trusted in His steadfast love. I pray that you will find your voice to sing in knowing that He has dealt bountifully with you!